Nothing But Life

Nothing But Life

Revelation 22: The angel also showed me the river of the water of life, sparkling like crystal, and coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² and flowing down the middle of the city's street. On each side of the river was the tree of life, which bears fruit twelve times a year, once each month; and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. ³ Nothing that is under God's curse will be found in the city.

 

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Driving down the road, I ran over a skunk carcass. For miles I could smell the horrible powerful stench of the dead animal. I ran through a puddle, yet the smell still lingered.

 

• I wished that I had not experienced the dead skunk.
• I wished I had not run over something that was dead and decaying.
• I would have preferred for all things that were alive to remain alive.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, was shown three things that provided life. One river and two trees were described as things that provided life. He also mentioned that the leaves would be used to heal the nations. Any sickness or disease that was under GOD’s curse would be healed by the things that provided life.

 

My Observations:

• GOD made us with life in mind.
• Eternal life will contain no sickness, no disease and no death.
• GOD’s eternal curse will not apply to those who love the LORD.

 

When GOD heals eternally, it will be done for good! I mean, there will be no more crying over a lost loved one, no more pain that keeps people awake and no more disease that causes bodies to malfunction. Why? Because JESUS paid it all.

 

JESUS was took on our curse. CHRIST redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” HE was hung on a cross and gave us eternal life. I am grateful to receive living water that will make me never thirst again.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer mention’s GOD’s curse?
• Have you ever gotten sick or hurt or experienced some sort of pain?
• Will you accept JESUS as your Savior so you can have everlasting life today?

Fed and Watered

Fed and Watered

Acts 15: ³⁰ So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. ³¹ The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. ³² Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. ³³ After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. ^[34] But Silas decided to remain there. ³⁵ But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.

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Tired of being a “weakling”, I tried weightlifting. Struggling to pick up the heavy bar to bench-press, I made it obvious to those around me that I would forever remain the recipient of bully ridicule. A few guys came up to me and said, “Join us.” They showed me proper technique and encouraged me when I lifted the featherweight, compared to their impressive loads. I felt I could get stronger.

• There were many times when I was down and alone.
• There were many times when I wanted to get stronger but felt I had no help.
• There were many times when I tried some things under my own power and did not get very far.

Judas and Silas arrived with a letter to the Gentiles. The people read it and were very encouraged. They were prophets, so they encouraged and strengthened the believers. After some time, they were sent back with a blessing of peace.

• GOD wants me to thank those who have encouraged me.
• GOD wants me to thank those who have helped me.
• GOD wants me to thank HIM, for HE is the one who sent people to help me.

My life is like a vine. I get hungry and thirsty, and sometimes I cannot find water or food. BUT GOD sends someone to feed and water me. This grows my roots in GOD and strengthens the vine so I can reach others. My growth enables me to thank people and GOD because I can bear fruit. I am grateful for those who have encouraged me and for GOD who strengthens me.

• Do you need encouragement?
• Does someone you know need encouragement?
• Will you accept that GOD is extremely pleased with you and has a wonderful plan for you?
• Will you encourage someone who needs GOD’s strength today?

Easier Living

John 4: ¹⁰ Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

¹¹ “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? ¹² Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

¹³ Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

¹⁵ The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

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Tired of pulling weeds, I decided to put down some rock. It took some hard work, digging up everything and laying down a liner to place the decorative stones. After the project was complete, I said to myself “I will never have to pull weeds from this area again.”

• Sometimes I want things to be easier.
• Sometimes I will work very hard to make something work automatically.
• Sometimes I just want peace and tranquility without having to work for it.

JESUS spoke to the Samaritan woman about “living water.” HE promised she would never thirst again. She took HIM literally and questioned HIS power. “Are you greater than Jacob?” she asked GOD unknowingly. JESUS answered “the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

• GOD wants me to have eternal life.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIM to the point of overflowing.
• GOD wants me to never thirst again spiritually.

When GOD gave me the HOLY SPIRIT, HE gave it to me abundantly. I never have to chase down the philosophies of humans, trying to understand how to live because I am already full. Nothing else can fit. GOD said it, I believe it, that’s it.

• What education or philosophy has you doubting GOD’s power?
• Do you believe in GOD “to a point?”
• Will you drink from GOD and receive HIS eternal life, dropping your constraints about HIM today?